What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTalc
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Glycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alumina
Abrasive
Acrylates Copolymer
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
PPG-2-Deceth-30
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Talc, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Boron Nitride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Acrylates Copolymer, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Alcohol, PPG-2-Deceth-30, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLysine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Chloride
Lecithin
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Methicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Behenyl Dimethicone, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Talc, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Lysine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Magnesium Chloride, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Methicone, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77288, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited. Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
